Written Answers Wednesday 3 November 2010

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the fairness and proportionality of the penalty regime associated with an over declaration of eligible land under the Single Farm Payment and Less Favoured Area Support schemes.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is committed both to helping farmers and crofters maximise their share of Common Agricultural Policy funds and to avoid the loss of support through penalties levied for non-compliance with regulatory requirements that were avoidable. Where funding is claimed through the over declaration of eligible land, no matter how unwitting the claimant’s actions, the Scottish Government must implement the scheme of penalties set by the EC under European legislation, as it is required to do by the Scotland Act.

Agriculture

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the fertiliser market for agriculture operates in a manner that is fair for businesses.

Richard Lochhead: The fertiliser market is subject to the normal regulatory and competition regimes, and driven by world supply and demand of nitrogen, phosphates and potash. Fertiliser prices in Scotland are dependent on currency exchange rate movements, which have also resulted in increases in the value of the Single Farm Payment in recent years. Farmers can keep their fertiliser costs down by following the Scottish Government’s "Farming for a Better Climate" programme and having soil analyses done so that they are not buying fertilisers unnecessarily.

Benefits

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-35723 by Shona Robison on 1 September 2010, what the outcome was of the discussion on 16 September 2010 with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Disabled People on changes to the Independent Living Fund.

Shona Robison: On 16 September 2010 I had a discussion with Maria Miller MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Disabled People, where I expressed concerns over the future of the Independent Living Fund. I also set out our preference for the fund to be devolved, as it is effectively an extension of social work care. Details of the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) proposals are still being formulated and it was agreed that Scottish Government officials meet with officials from the DWP to discuss these details as they are drawn up. A initial discussion between officials took place on 28 October 2010.

Carers

Bill Kidd (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will receive Barnett consequentials as a result of the £4.4 million recently announced by the Minister of State for Care Services for awareness-raising and capacity-building projects for carers in England.

Shona Robison: The £4.4 million announced by the Minister for Care Services in October 2010 is not new investment. It is being reinvested from the Caring with Confidence programme which came to an end in July 2010. Therefore this money does not carry any Barnett consequential.

Data Security

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it remains its intention to publish the final identity management and privacy principles in October 2010, as stated in a letter dated July 2010 from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, and whether a date has been set.

John Swinney: The analysis report was published on 30 September 2010 and comments were requested by 15 October 2010, with the aim of publishing the final version of the principles before the end of October 2010. On 12 October 2010, Scottish Government officials presented the analysis report to the Scottish Privacy Forum, which is run by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The report was well received at that meeting and informal comments from the Assistant Commissioner (Scotland) were favourable.

  Following that meeting we have decided to delay publication until December 2010, by which time we expect to have received formal feedback from the ICO. That will ensure the greatest level of expert input and give us the opportunity to ensure our principles complement, as far as possible, the UK statutory code of practice on the sharing of personal data, on which the ICO launched its consultation on 8 October. This will mean our principles have the strongest possible support from the ICO.

Defence

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Ministry of Defence regarding the future of Fort George, in light of its economic impact on the local area.

Fiona Hyslop: Prior to the strategic defence review announcement, the Scottish Government provided a cross-party submission to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the UK Government highlighting areas of potential concern. This included Fort George and the vital role it plays in supporting the local economy.

  Scottish Ministers are pleased that Fort George has not been affected by the strategic defence review and Historic Scotland will continue to work with the MoD regarding management and maintenance of this important site. The priority for Scottish Ministers is now to support the communities which have been affected by this review.

Defence

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what contingency plans it has in the event that Fort George closes as a result of the strategic defence and spending review being carried out by the UK Government, in light of its economic impact on the local area.

Fiona Hyslop: Scottish Ministers recognise the contribution Fort George makes to the local economy and are pleased it has not been affected by the strategic defence and spending review carried out by the UK Government as announced on 19 October 2010.

Defence

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Historic Scotland to ensure the future of Fort George, in the event of closure as a result of the strategic defence and spending review being carried out by the UK Government, in light of its economic impact on the local area.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government recognises the contribution Fort George makes to the local economy and is pleased it has not been affected by the strategic defence and spending review announced on 19 October 2010. Ministers did have discussions with Historic Scotland, an executive agency of the Scottish Government, to understand the impact of potential scenarios in the run up to the announcement, however its priority is now supporting the communities which have been affected by this review.

Economy

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36453 by Jim Mather on 30 September 2010, which of the programmes have followed Recommendation 3 in the Council of Economic Advisers: Second Annual Report .

Mr Jim Mather: The programmes mentioned in the answer to question S3W-36453 relate to Recommendation 5 of the Council of Economic Advisers which states "The Council recommends that the Scottish Government conducts a review of the scope for innovation in the services sector."

  To use competition in public procurement as a means of increasing productivity and innovation, as suggested in Recommendation 3, our enterprise agencies actively encourage companies to register with the Scottish Government’s portal, Public Contracts Scotland (PCS). This portal promotes competition by providing companies with direct access to a wide range of opportunities across the public sector. Additionally our enterprise agencies welcome collaborative bids for tenders which help encourage small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and micro SMEs to participate.

Enterprise

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what work is being undertaken by its Saltire Prize External Communications unit.

Jim Mather: There is no Saltire Prize Communication unit currently operating within the Scottish Government. From June 2008 to March 2010 two staff were tasked with promotion of the Saltire Prize prior to the competition opening to applications. Scottish Development International now has the main responsibility for encouraging international participation in the competition.

Food Safety

Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the health impact of bisphenol A as used in the manufacturing of plastic bottles.

Shona Robison: Food safety controls on materials and articles in contact with food are harmonised at a European level and Scottish Ministers are advised on such matters by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in Scotland.

  The agency has not done any assessment specifically on the health impact of bisphenol A (BPA) as used in the manufacturing of plastic bottles.

  However, since 2000 the FSA has undertaken two research projects and one survey on BPA in food contact materials. In all cases the levels of BPA identified were unlikely to be of concern to health. The agency continues to keep the published evidence on BPA under review and will act to protect consumers if the evidence shows that it is necessary to do so.

  The agency monitors closely what scientific research is being done elsewhere and avoids duplication of studies on what is in most cases a global market.

Food Safety

Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider banning the use of bisphenol A in the manufacturing of (a) babies' feeding bottles and (b) all bottles containing food or drink.

Shona Robison: Food safety controls on materials and articles in contact with food are harmonised at a European level and Scottish Ministers are advised on such matters by the Food Standards Agency in Scotland.

  a. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently issued its latest opinion on the safety of bisphenol A (BPA). The EFSA opinion did not lead to the current safety limit for BPA being revised. However, the EFSA opinion notes uncertainty associated with some new studies, of which the relevance for human health could not be assessed. The commission has taken a precautionary view on this uncertainty and discussions have started in the European Union to consider ways to limit exposure of infants to BPA from polycarbonate baby bottles, given the vulnerable nature of these consumers.

  The agency is actively involved in consulting stakeholders on these proposals to inform a UK negotiating line.

  b. There is no proposal to ban the use of bisphenol A in the manufacture of any other bottles containing food or drink.

Health

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many care advisers are needed in order to support people with neuromuscular conditions.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is aware that care advisors play a valuable role by providing practical and emotional support for people living with muscular dystrophy and their families.

  The issue is discussed in the Mackie Report from the Cross Party Group on Muscular Dystrophy and the report by the Scottish Muscle Network on its review of neuromuscular services. Neither, however, indicates the optimal number of such posts. These appointments would be primarily for NHS boards, but it is one of the issues I shall want to raise when I meet representatives of the Scottish Muscle Network to discuss the recommendations in both reports.

Health

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many care advisers it funds in order to support people with neuromuscular conditions.

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many care advisers supporting people with neuromuscular conditions are funded from sources other than it.

Shona Robison: There are currently two such care advisor posts, one covering the east of Scotland, the other the west. Until the end of the current financial year, they are funded jointly by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and by NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde for the east and west respectively. Each board gave a commitment earlier this year to assume responsibility for funding in full the relevant post from April 2011.

Health

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to implement the recommendations of the Mackie Report.

Shona Robison: I am arranging to meet representatives of the Scottish Muscle Network to discuss the recommendations in the report of its review of neuromuscular services in Scotland, as well as those in the Mackie Report produced by the Cross Party Group on Muscular Dystrophy.

Health

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines it has issued to NHS boards following the publication of the Mackie Report.

Shona Robison: No guidelines have been issued to NHS Boards following publication of the Mackie Report produced by the Cross Party Group on Muscular Dystrophy.

  As indicated in the answers to questions S3W-37100 and S3W-37103 on  3 November 2010, I shall be meeting representatives of the Scottish Muscle Network shortly to consider the recommendations in its report, as well as those in the Mackie Report.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Higher Education

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering offering a four to five year full-time chiropractic degree course similar to the one available in England and Wales.

Michael Russell: Decisions about what courses to offer are for individual universities, as independent bodies, rather than for Scottish Government ministers.

Higher Education

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many students from Scotland are funded to attend the BSc, MSc and MChiro degree courses at the University of Glamorgan and the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in Bournemouth.

Michael Russell: I have asked Tracey Slaven, Chief Executive of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

  In 2009-10, SAAS funded 11 Scottish domiciled students studying chiropractic courses at the University of Glamorgan. The figure has risen to 12 in 2010-11. We do not fund any students at the Chiropractic College in Bournemouth.

Housing

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is available to private home owners in receipt of benefits to make necessary repairs to their homes.

Alex Neil: Owners are responsible for repairing and maintaining their property but local authorities have broad discretionary powers to provide assistance. Assistance can be provided through advice and guidance, practical help or by financial assistance by way of grants or loans. Any owner can receive assistance, whether or not they are in receipt of income-related social security benefits. Local authorities have the discretion to determine what kinds of assistance are made available in each case on the basis of local priorities and budgets.

Infertility Services

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will develop an action plan to provide a framework and timetable to complete the implementation of the findings of the EAGISS Report once the National Infertility Group has made its recommendations.

Shona Robison: The existing guidelines from the Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland (EAGISS) are included as part of the considerations of the National Infertility Group.

Infertility Services

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the National Infertility Group has set out a timeline to produce recommendations on the eight initial issues identified in its published role and remit.

Shona Robison: Sub-groups of the National Infertility Group have been established to explore the eight initial issues which were set out in its role and remit. Good progress has been made to date and the Group will provide an initial summary report of progress to Ministers within the agreed timescale.

Infertility Services

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues to NHS boards on exceptional cases for the funding of assisted conception services.

Shona Robison: The decision to provide NHS assisted conception treatment resides with individual NHS boards and will be informed by local protocols and other guidelines. It is the prerogative of NHS boards to use discretionary powers where deemed appropriate in exceptional circumstances.

Infertility Services

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many exceptional cases for assisted conception services have been funded in each year from 2000, also broken down by NHS board.

Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally.

Infertility Services

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of Infertility Network Scotland’s interim report on fertility funding, whether the remit of the National Infertility Group will be expanded to include the identification and development of tools to support the implementation of its recommendations.

Shona Robison: The National Infertility Group considered the interim report from Infertility Network Scotland at its meeting on 13 July 2010. The group will provide an initial progress report to ministers within the agreed timescale.

Local Government Finance

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with local authorities regarding the need to conduct equality impact assessments on programmes of budgetary reductions.

John Swinney: Local authorities are subject to the public sector equality duties. They must have due regard to the need to promote race, disability and gender equality across all of their functions. The Scottish Government is in regular communication on the budget process with COSLA, acting on behalf of all local authorities but it is for local authorities themselves to determine how they respond to the duties, including in relation to budgets.

Local Government Finance

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance to local authorities on the need for equality impact assessments on programmes of budgetary reductions.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-36474 on 13 October 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Police

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the reported finding by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland that 25% of the police budget is spent on administration, whether it will provide a breakdown of this spending.

Kenny MacAskill: The paper on additional cost saving options presented by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland at the fifth meeting of the Scottish Policing Board includes a breakdown of staff-related expenditure by functional area across the eight force headquarters. All Scottish Policing Board papers are published on the Scottish Government website.

Police

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the 25% of the police budget reported to be spent on administration includes spending on the (a) Scottish Police Services Authority, (b) Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency and (c) police training college and, if so, how much.

Kenny MacAskill: No, it does not.

Police

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the 25% of the police budget reported to be spent on administration is 25% of the (a) Scottish Government’s policing budget, (b) police grant to local authorities or (c) both.

Kenny MacAskill: It is 25% of police forces’ budgets for 2010-11, made up of local authority contributions and Scottish Government direct grant to police authorities.

Rail Network

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in partnership with Transport Scotland and First ScotRail to improve train services between Perth and Edinburgh.

Stewart Stevenson: Performance for rail services between Perth and Edinburgh is monitored by Transport Scotland. The Public Performance Measure (measuring reliability and punctuality) has shown consistent improvement, rising from 85% in 2006 to 91.1% at present. This is the result of a combined effort by First ScotRail and Network Rail to improve both punctuality and reliability across the whole of the Scottish network.

  In December 2008, the Scottish Government introduced in partnership with First ScotRail a package of improvements to the Edinburgh-Fife-Aberdeen corridor, which provided an hourly service between Edinburgh and Perth via Fife, and 1,290 additional seats daily.

  The Strategic Transport Projects Review published in 2008, sets out our investment priorities, and includes proposals to improve services between Aberdeen/Inverness and the Central Belt. As a first step, improvements will be made on the Highland Main Line, full details will be known later in 2010.

Rail Network

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what improvements have been made to railway stations in the last three years, broken down by cost.

Stewart Stevenson: Information on what improvements have been made to railway stations broken down by cost is not held by the Scottish Government.

  Investment funding for rail stations has been provided by various organisations including Network Rail, First ScotRail, Scottish Government, UK Government, local authorities and third parties over the past three years.

  Amongst the many improvements delivered include car park expansions, new platforms, passenger communication systems, information screens, better accessibility, new passenger waiting facilities, new toilets and CCTV installation.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a cost was established for each of the 24 new or relocated railway stations proposed in the Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan 2000 and, if so, what the cost of each would be at current prices.

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a catchment area was established for each of the 24 new or relocated railway stations proposed in the Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan 2000 and, if so, what the population is of each catchment area.

Stewart Stevenson: Publication of the Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan in 2000 preceded the transfer of responsibility for rail strategy and funding to Scottish Ministers.

  It is therefore not known whether, or to what extent, the costs, catchment areas and populations relating to these new or relocated stations were established at the time.

  However, this information may be available from the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority, the successor authority to the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan Committee.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of constructing Gartcosh railway station, also expressed at current prices.

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of constructing each railway station on the Maryhill line, also expressed at current prices.

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of constructing Edinburgh Park railway station, also expressed at current prices.

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of constructing Larkhall railway station, also expressed at current prices.

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of constructing Chatelherault railway station, also expressed at current prices.

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of constructing Kelvindale railway station, also expressed at current prices.

Stewart Stevenson: Information relating to the construction costs of Gartcosh, Edinburgh Park, Larkhall, Chatelherault, Kelvindale and Maryhill line railway stations is not held by Transport Scotland. Please refer to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, the project sponsor for each of these stations apart from Edinburgh Park, for which Network Rail and/or the developer, New Edinburgh Limited should be consulted.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected monthly passenger use was for Gartcosh railway station; what its actual use has been in each month since its opening, and what the population is of its catchment area.

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) projected annual use was, (b) actual annual use has been and (c) population of the catchment area is of each station on the Maryhill rail line.

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected monthly passenger use was for Kelvindale railway station; what its actual use has been in each month since its opening, and what the population is of its catchment area.

Stewart Stevenson: Please refer to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, the project sponsor for Gartcosh, Kelvindale, and Maryhill line railway stations. Information relating to the projected monthly passenger use and catchment area populations of these stations is not held by Transport Scotland.

  Actual monthly passenger use information is not held by Transport Scotland but by ScotRail. Annual data, typically used in preference to monthly data as it avoids issues relating to seasonality, is publicly available up to 2008-09 via the Office of Rail Regulation website (http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529). The latest available figures show total use (entries and exits) of these stations in 2008-09 as follows:

  

 Gartcosh
 124,314


 Kelvindale
 109,534


 Maryhill Line


 Maryhill
 77,398


 Summerston
 118,222


 Gilshochill
 102,982


 Possilpark and Parkhouse
 106,672


 Ashfield
 57,906

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the forecast contribution to the economy is of each of the new, rebuilt or relocated railway stations on the Airdrie-Bathgate rail line.

Stewart Stevenson: The economic welfare benefits of the new Airdrie-Bathgate line have been estimated at £682.7 million, in 2002 prices discounted over the 60 year appraisal period as standard. At the local level, the line is projected to bring 900 jobs and an additional 1,900 residents to West Lothian, and 400 jobs and 1,000 additional residents to North Lanarkshire (N.B. these are distributional impacts: no net increases were estimated at the Scotland level). The economic contribution of each station has not been separately assessed.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the contribution to the economy has been of Edinburgh Park railway station since its opening and how this compares with the forecast contribution.

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the contribution to the economy has been of Gartcosh railway station since its opening and how this compares with the forecast contribution.

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the contribution to the economy has been of Larkhall railway station since its opening and how this compares with the forecast contribution.

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the contribution to the economy has been of Chatelherault railway station since its opening and how this compares with the forecast contribution.

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the contribution to the economy has been of Kelvindale railway station since its opening and how this compares with the forecast contribution.

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the contribution to the economy has been of each railway station on the Maryhill line since its opening and how this compares with the forecast contribution.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland does not hold information on the forecast economic contribution of Edinburgh Park, Gartcosh, Larkhall, Chatelherault, Kelvindale and Maryhill line railway stations. Please refer to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, the project sponsor for each of these stations apart from Edinburgh Park, for which Network Rail and/or the developer, New Edinburgh Limited should be consulted. No assessment of the economic contribution of these stations has been undertaken by Transport Scotland.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the contribution to the economy has been of Laurencekirk railway station since its opening and how this compares with the forecast contribution.

Stewart Stevenson: The appraisal for Laurencekirk railway station was prepared by Scott Wilson consultants for Aberdeenshire Council and the Scottish Executive. The economic welfare benefits of the station have been estimated at £5 million in 2003 prices, discounted over the 30 year appraisal period. (N.B. since this appraisal was undertaken the standard appraisal period has been extended to 60 years, under which the estimated benefits would be higher). This station has only been open since May of last year and no assessment of its economic contribution has been undertaken by Transport Scotland.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is for each new, rebuilt or relocated railway station on the Airdrie-Bathgate line.

Stewart Stevenson: The fixed price to be paid by the Scottish Government to Network Rail for the Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link Project was determined by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) at £312 million at the price level in quarter one, 2006. This determination included the cost of upgrading the line between Edinburgh and Bathgate. It did not break down construction costs for each of the stations.

  Transport Scotland’s (TS) assessment of station costs, which informed the TS submission to the ORR prior to its price determination is as follows:

  

 Station
 Cost (£ million)


 Bathgate
 4.1 to 4.8


 Armadale
 2.9 to 3.4


 Caldercruix
 3.8 to 4.5


 Drumgelloch
 3.4 to 3.9


 Airdrie
 2.1 to 2.5



  Blackridge was not included in the original ORR determination. The cost of this variation is estimated at £3.2 million which included a contribution from West Lothian Council.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of constructing Laurencekirk railway station, also expressed at current prices.

Stewart Stevenson: The Laurencekirk Station project cost £3.5 million and was delivered through a successful partnership involving the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, Network Rail, NESTRANS, Aberdeenshire Council and ScotRail. The Scottish Government does not hold a current price estimate for this project.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) estimated passenger use is for and (b) population is of the catchment area of each new, rebuilt or relocated railway station on the Airdrie-Bathgate railway line.

Stewart Stevenson: The estimated passenger use for stations on the Airdrie-Bathgate railway line is as shown in the following table:

  

 Forecast Annual Journeys (‘000s)


 Uphall 
 350-450


 Livingston North
 800-900


 Bathgate
 1,000-1,200


 Armadale
 50-100


 Blackridge
 25-50


 Caldercruix
 50-100


 Drumgelloch
 275-350


 Airdrie
 1,100-1,300



  Information relating to the catchment area population of these stations is not held by Transport Scotland.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected monthly passenger use was for Edinburgh Park railway station; what its actual use has been in each month since its opening, and what the population is of its catchment area.

Stewart Stevenson: Annual station usage at Edinburgh Park railway station was estimated as per the following table:

  

 
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09


 Forecast Station Demand
 132,670
 170,575
 189,528
 199,321
 209,619
 220,450



  Transport Scotland hold this information as part of an evaluation undertaken with and led by the Department for Transport into demand forecasting for new railway stations and lines which will be published in late 2010 early 2011. Actual monthly passenger use information is not held by Transport Scotland but by ScotRail. Annual data, typically used in preference to monthly data as it avoids issues relating to seasonality, is publicly available up to 2008-09 via the Office of Rail Regulation website (http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529). The latest available figure shows total use of Edinburgh Park (entries and exits) as 434,244 in 2008-09. Information relating to the catchment area population of Edinburgh Park is not held by Transport Scotland.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected monthly passenger use was for Larkhall railway station; what its actual use has been in each month since its opening, and what the population is of its catchment area.

Stewart Stevenson: Annual station usage at Larkhall railway station was estimated as per the following table:

  

 
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09


 Forecast Station Demand
 210,492
 218,912
 227,668
 236,775
 246,246
 256,096
 266,339
 276,993



  Transport Scotland hold this information as part of an evaluation undertaken with and led by the Department for Transport into demand forecasting for new railway stations and lines which will be published in late 2010 / early 2011. Actual monthly passenger use information is not held by Transport Scotland but by ScotRail. Annual data, typically used in preference to monthly data as it avoids issues relating to seasonality, is publicly available up to 2008-09 via the Office of Rail Regulation website (http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529). The latest available figure shows total use of Larkhall (entries and exits) as 334,438 in 2008-09. Information relating to the catchment area population of Larkhall is not held by Transport Scotland.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected monthly passenger use was for Chatelherault railway station; what its actual use has been in each month since its opening, and what the population is of its catchment area.

Stewart Stevenson: Annual station usage at Chatelherault railway station was estimated as per the following table:

  

 
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09


 Forecast Station Demand
 36,779
 38,251
 39,781
 41,372
 43,027
 44,748
 46,538
 48,399



  Transport Scotland hold this information as part of an evaluation undertaken with and led by the Department for Transport into demand forecasting for new railway stations and lines which will be published in late 2010 early 2011. Actual monthly passenger use information is not held by Transport Scotland but by ScotRail. Annual data, typically used in preference to monthly data as it avoids issues relating to seasonality, is publicly available up to 2008-09 via the Office of Rail Regulation website (http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529). The latest available figure shows total use of Chatelherault (entries and exits) as 40,958 in 2008-09. Information relating to the catchment area population of Chatelherault is not held by Transport Scotland.

Rail Network

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected monthly passenger use was for Laurencekirk railway station; what its actual use has been in each month since its opening, and what the population is of its catchment area.

Stewart Stevenson: The appraisal of Laurencekirk railway station, undertaken by Scott Wilson Consultants for Aberdeenshire Council and the Scottish Executive, estimated that around 36,000 annual trips would be made to and from this station. From its opening in May 2009 to March 2010, 52,369 passenger journeys were made. This data was supplied to Transport Scotland by ScotRail. Monthly passenger data is not held by Transport Scotland. In future, annual data, typically used in preference to monthly data as it avoids issues relating to seasonality, will be publicly available for this station via the Office of Rail Regulation website:

  http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529.

  Information relating to the current catchment area population of this station is not held by Transport Scotland, though the appraisal reported a resident population of approximately 2,800 in the township and rail potential hinterland, with 4,700 in the surrounding Mearns of Aberdeenshire (National Census Data, ONS, 2002).

Rail Network

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to develop the Stranraer-Glasgow rail route.

Stewart Stevenson: Stena Line is due to re-locate from Stranraer to new facilities at Cairnryan in late autumn 2011. This has provided opportunities to improve rail provision to better match local needs. As a result Transport Scotland has asked Scotrail to work on improving the timetable for south west Scotland, including services to and from Stranraer, to deliver improved service frequency and new journey opportunities

  The proposed timetable is anticipated to take effect in December 2011.

Renewable Energy

Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will reallocate money to fund the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme and, if so, when.

Jim Mather: We have allocated some £7.5 million to the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) this financial year which will support around 300 projects. Increased funding pressures, alongside the introduction of the feed in tariff and (forthcoming) renewable heat incentive at a UK level, suggest that future support for community renewables may need to be revised. In this context, we have already published an initial business case for a pre-planning loan fund to be used by community groups and landowners to finance renewable energy projects. This report is published at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/10/01105500/0.

  Ministers will be considering support for community renewables, including the loan fund proposal, under the spending review process.

  In the meantime, Community Energy Scotland, our contractor for CARES, will continue to support projects already in the system, as well as offer free and independent advice to communities interested in developing their own local renewables projects.

Renewable Energy

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the response to question S3W-36450 by Jim Mather on 30 September 2010, whether it will provide an answer that specifically addresses the issue raised in the question and when it expects an answer to its request for the release of funds from the Fossil Fuel Levy account.

Jim Mather: My answer to question S3W-36450 referred specifically to the new UK Government’s commitment, published in May this year, to review the control and use of accumulated and future revenues from the Fossil Fuel Levy (FFL) in Scotland (currently standing at £191 million). The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth has written to the UK Government on several occasions requesting the early release of these funds. This request is backed by leaders in Scottish Industry, environmental non-governmental organisations, business organisations and Trade Unions, dedicated to Scotland’s sustainable economic development, who wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 14 October 2010 pressing for the release and rapid deployment of these funds.

  The Chief Secretary of the Treasury wrote to the Cabinet Secretary on 19 October 2010 with a new proposal. The new UK Government proposal is that Scottish Ministers surrender current and future FFL surpluses in exchange for the creation of a ring fenced £250 million for Scotland to form part of an undefined and yet to be established Green Investment Bank. We do not believe that this proposal as it stands is in Scotland’s interests, or changes the current position in any material way. The Cabinet Secretary has replied to the Chief Secretary of the Treasury expressing these concerns and seeking urgent clarification of the details underlying the proposal.

Rural Development

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average amount of approved funding for the Scottish Borders under the Scotland Rural Development Programme has been in each year since the programme’s inception.

Richard Lochhead: Elements of the Scotland Rural Development Programme are governed by different rules and eligibility criteria. It should be noted that, for Land Managers Options (LMO) and Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS), money is applied for and paid on an eligibility basis.

  See the following table summary:

  

 
 Scheme
 Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation
 Forestry Challenge Funds
 LMO
 LEADER
 LFASS
 Rural Priorities (RP)


 2007
 Funding
 -
 -
 -
 -
£6,014,203
 -


 
 Cases
 -
 -
 -
 -
 628
 -


 
 Average
 -
 -
 -
 -
£9,577
 -


 2008
 Funding
£152,322
 -
£140,000
£507,543
£5,972,611
£5,573,271


 
 Cases
 2
 -
 150
 9
 694
 82


 
 Average
£76,161
 -
£933
£56,394
£8,606
£67,967


 2009
 Funding
 -
£25,200
£461,000
£448,529
£5,961,152
£17,221,083


 
 Cases
 -
 4
 511
 12
 632
 250


 
 Average
 -
£6,300
£902
£37,377
£9,432
£68,884


 2010
 Funding
£244,792
£38,500
£1,413,000
£538,662
 -
£10,186,631


 
 Cases
 2
 1
 731
 11
 -
 60


 
 Average
£122,396
£38,500
£1,933
£48,969
 -
£169,777



  Funding under the Skills Development Scheme is to Scotland-wide industry organisations and related bodies and, while grant has not been specifically allocated to projects in the Borders, some of the £2.2 million allocated to date will be spent in the Borders.

  There have been no awards under the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme (CCAGS) in the Scottish Borders.

  The 2010 awards for RP are a combination of the April assessment round, and ongoing forestry approvals from 1 January to 20 September.

Rural Development

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scotland Rural Development Programme funding approvals have been made in each year since the programme’s inception.

Richard Lochhead: Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation
 Forestry Challenge Funds
 Land Managers Options (LMO)
 LEADER
 Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS)
 Rural Priorities (RP)
 Skills
 Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme


 2007
 -
 -
 -
 -
 12,134
 -
 -
 -


 2008
 38
 -
 3,851
 209
 12,490
 833
 7
 -


 2009
 34
 74
 7,998
 498
 12,187
 2,774
 11
 12


 2010
 29
 35
 10,349
 393
 -
 594
 9
 550



  There is no approval process for LMO or LFASS, rather beneficiaries need to meet eligibility criteria; therefore, the total number of LMO applications in each year is shown. For LFASS, the figures are for paid claims.

  In addition to the RP approvals shown above, a further 392 cases have been approved through the forestry ongoing approvals process, launched in August 2009.

Rural Development

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much capital has been approved for Scotland Rural Development Programme funding in the Scottish Borders in each year since the programme’s inception.

Richard Lochhead: Food Processing,Marketing and Co-operation
 Forestry Challenge Funds
 Land Managers Options (LMO)
 LEADER
 Rural Priorities


 2008
£152,322
£0
£87,500
£54,848
£3,047,304


 2009
£0
£25,200
£366,500
£8,310
£8,280,022


 2010
£244,792
£38,500
£779,000
£10,418
£5,247,274



  There is no approval process for LMO; beneficiaries need to meet eligibility criteria. The total value of the capital element of LMO for the Scottish Borders is expected to be as shown in the table.

  There is no capital element to the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme.

Rural Development

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out regarding how many rural jobs have been created as a result of Scotland Rural Development Programme payments since the programme’s inception.

Richard Lochhead: A mid-term evaluation of the Scotland Rural Development Programme is underway and will estimate the number of jobs created. The findings from the evaluation will be published on the Scottish Government website when available, expected to be early 2011.

Scottish Government Departments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what work is being undertaken by its National Conversation, Referendum and Elections Division.

Bruce Crawford: The National Conversation, Referendum and Elections Division is responsible for a range of policies concerned with the development of Scotland’s constitution and elections. Current work includes the development of primary and secondary legislation about the administration of local government elections, the electronic counting system for the 2012 local government elections and the Bill for a referendum on Scotland’s constitutional future. It is also responsible for the co-ordination of the Scottish Government's interest in the UK Government’s proposed legislation to implement the recommendations of the Commission on Scottish Devolution.

Scottish Government Expenditure

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it spent on press cutting services in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government spent the following on press cutting services:

  

 Year
 Spend (£)


 2007-08
 96,443.63


 2008-09
 73,902.13


 2009-10
 71,653.79

Scottish Government Expenditure

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it spent on newspapers in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government spent the following on newspapers:

  

 Year
 Spend (£)


 2007-08
 157,846.09


 2008-09
 175,318.68


 2009-10
 197,743.83



  It should be noted that the contract for the supply of newspapers is only available to organisations within Glasgow, Edinburgh and Livingston. Detail of any expenditure on newspapers for organisations outwith these areas is not held centrally.

Special Advisers

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what newspapers and magazines are bought for the specific use of its special advisers and at what cost.

John Swinney: The following newspapers are purchased by the Scottish Government for the specific use of its special advisers:

  1. The Courier

  2. Daily Express

  3. Daily Mirror

  4. Daily Record

  5. Daily Star

  6. Daily Star Sunday

  7. Evening News

  8. Evening Times

  9. Financial Times

  10. The Guardian

  11. The Herald

  12. The Independent

  13. Independent on Sunday

  14. Mail on Sunday

  15. News of the World

  16. The Observer

  17. Press and Journal

  18. Scotland on Sunday

  19. The Scotsman

  20. The Sun

  21. Sunday Express

  22. Sunday Herald

  23. Sunday Mail

  24. Sunday Mirror

  25. Sunday Post

  26. Sunday Telegraph

  27. Daily Telegraph

  28. Daily Mail

  29. The People

  The cost to provide these newspapers amounts to £1,047.03 per month.

Transport

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what capital investment in (a) roads and (b) rail there has been in each year since 1999.

Stewart Stevenson: Capital investment in the trunk road and rail networks since 1999 is shown in the following table:

  

 
 1998-99
 1999-00
 2000-01
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05


 
£ million
£ million
£ million
£ million
£ million
£ million
£ million


 (a) Improving the Road Network
 174.0
 165.3
 164.9 
 155.8
 112.1 
 138.9 
 147.1 


(b) Rail Infrastructure andOther Transport Programmes*
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -



  

 
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09
 2009-10


 
£ million
£ million
£ million
£ million
£ million


 (a) Improving the Road Network
 105.4 
 177.3 
 171.7 
 176.6 
 284.5 


 (b) Rail Infrastructure andOther Transport Programmes*
 -
 515.9
 631.2
 540.4
 536.2



  Note: *Responsibility for Rail was devolved to the Scottish Government in 2006.

Transport

Charlie Gordon (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is preparing a transport plan for the 2014 Ryder Cup.

Stewart Stevenson: Yes. Transport Scotland is working with Event Scotland and Perth and Kinross Council to develop a transport plan for the event.